Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
My last post was about six months ago (Great Dane with Osteosarcoma and Palliative Care). At that time my Great Dane, Zayda, had a biopsy done for suspected osteosarcoma and we had decided on a palliative care route due to a few considerations. For the past six months she has had some good quality time. Throughout that time we have discovered a few things. Her biopsy results ended up indicating more of a fibrosarcoma than osteosarcoma. Also, despite her size, stature, and previous physical/health concerns, she has proven to fight this and make things work better than we thought she might. We have recently had to continue to increase pain meds more, and her pamidronate treatments aren't seeming as effective. Within the last week her leg has gotten extremely large. We reached a point where it was time to consider any remaining options or think about the end of the road. Last Friday we went in to see her doctor and reopened the discussion of amputation. As her leg has worsened, she has adapted on her own to moving on three 95% of the time, and has done so significantly better than anticipated. Her lungs were x-rayed on Friday and checked by a radiologist today, and they still look to be clear. We also had a consult with a veterinary oncologist today, and he agreed that looking at her case as a whole, at this point he would still recommend amputation followed by chemo. Given all of that (that was a very short version), Zayda is scheduled to have her front leg amputated tomorrow. We plan to follow that with six chemo treatments. I have asked a lot of questions and done quite a bit of reading already, but if anyone has any suggestions or read my original post on Zayda and wants to follow up, we would welcome your responses. I just want to make sure that we are well prepared for the road ahead. Here's to "being more dog" and to giving Zayda more time to continue to kick cancer's butt.
Courtney and Zayda
Hello again, Courtney! So glad to hear that Zayda has done so well until now and is strong enough to be a candidate for amputation. I know it's still scary for you and I'm sure you're worried but I applaud your courage in deciding to go for it!
I'm sure you've done all you can to get the house ready for a newly three legged dog, but just in case you forgot, try to get area rugs or similar for any slick floors - like tile, laminate or wood. Even if Zayda has done well enough on them recently while not bearing weight on the leg, it will be easier for her if the traction is good.
Is she staying the night in the hospital or coming home same day? pain management can be a little rough the first couple days but not to worry - we will be here to chime in and cheer you on! I brought my Izzy home the evening of her surgery and she needed to be sedated, saucy old broad that she is, so she didn't wander, stumble and make me have a heart attack. Thankfully, my vet was awesome about supplementing the very minimal meds sent home with her, so I had everything I needed. Try to make sure you've got all bases covered. Have lots of towels, extra sheets or even housebreaking pads ... makes it easier to keep the dog bed fresh. Sedated pups can have accidents.
It sounds like you've got a treatment plan sorted out, which is great. I chose not to do chemo for Izzy's osteosarcoma due to her age and so far (12 months later), we've not seen any evidence of lung mets or anything of the sort. She is taking palladia for a mast cell tumor but only started that in June. My vets (oncologist and family vet) are so wonderful and we've adjusted doses to make sure she doesn't have too many side effects ... just keep in touch with them and let the doc know if there are any issues.
We've got our fingers and paws crossed for you both! Please keep us posted and ask any questions - we are all happy to help!
Amy & Izzy
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Hi Amy and Izzy,
Thank you for your thoughtful reply and your encouragement!
Most of my house is carpeted, but I do have a small section of hardwood floor in the kitchen. I have spare rugs that I will put down for traction . Thanks for that note.
She is going to stay the night, probably for my sake more than for hers. I'd be a nervous wreck that first night, so we will probably both get better rest with her in medical care/supervision. I will be sure that we have her medication plan laid out before I bring her home. She has been on A LOT of pain meds up until this point, so I'm guessing we will continue with some/most of what she's been on for initial recovery and then hopefully taper off.
I am so glad to hear how well Izzy is doing! Hopefully Zayda can kick cancer just like Izzy has been!
I will try to keep you posted tomorrow after surgery and as we move forward.
Thanks again!
Hello and welcome back.
Good to hear that Zayda has done so well! I'm sorry that you are facing amputation but at the same time I'm glad that you have the option.
My two tripawds have been small rear amps so I don't have much direct experiences to share.
It really is best for your girl to spend the night at the vet, they can get her pain meds adjusted and make sure she is ready to come home.
When you need inspiration check out this thread on Eurydice's Grand Adventure. She is 6.5 months past her front amp for OSA and is currently on a world tour (ok, Europe).
Best of luck with the surgery tomorrow, I'll be looking for an update.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Zayda! You are a great "little" fighter. Keep it up. Keeping you in our prayers...Deb and Angel Bandit
Hi, lots of hope it goes to plan wishes for you and your girl.
If there's one thing I've learnt since our op day it's that getting the pain relief right can be a right pain and these pups of ours will do it their way no matter what the book says or how many heart attacks it gives us. Fingers crossed the fact she is already settled on some meds helps.
Jx
Sending healing hugs to you and Zayda today. Please keep us posted on the surgery when you can. She's proven to be a fighter already and hopefully can have a smooth recovery. That painful leg will be gone. Now upward and onward sweet girl!
Hi there,
Just thinking of you in the first few days of recovery from amputation. We are about 2 months post amputation for osteosarcoma for our great pyr and definitely learned to stay on top of the pain meds, setting the alarm in the middle of the night, and do know that most have a bit of a crash days 3-5 once the anethesia has completely worn off. It really helped us to alternate pain meds if they end up putting her on a combination of them. We didn't do that at first and it made a big difference.
Ice or warm compresses can help too, generally ice the first few days, and warm after that can give them comfort. Charlie never like the ice too much but definitely liked the warm ones. Just make sure the incision doesn't get wet. A sling is really helpful to get them to go out and manage any steps to go potty.
Above all, remember we are all here for you, keep posting and know that we have all been through it and will do whatever we can to help. I couldn't have gotten though our journey without the kindness and care of the tripawd family.
It can be really overwhelming, just know you are doing the best thing for her, deep breaths.
Mary Beth & Charlie
Hi Courtney and Zayda 🐶💗
Just saw your thread and wanted to send lots and lots of pawsitive energy for both of you today !
Is the surgery finished by now ?
How is Zayda ? And how are you ??
We all know how overwhelming this can be but please do keep us updated when you have a moment.
My girl Eurydice is also a front leg amputee and she is huge so, right after surgery and up until stitches were removed, she wore a t-shirt to protect the incision and a soft harness over it at all times.
After stitches were out we switched to a ruff wear harness and we swear by it!
I reckon your sweet girl is going to have an easier time than mine did as she is already hopping on 3 for a while but even if that is the case it is still extremely helpful to have her wearing an harness to help her standing up, hop out to pee etc.
Remember you've got to keep her walks very, very short during the first stages of recovery, she might feel energetic at some point but do not let her overdo it.
Stairs should also be avoided whenever possible.
Be prepared to be creative in the kitchen as she might stop/reduce eating and/or drinking.
If that happens, any food will be good as long as she eats, my girl had hot dogs and grilled and boiled chicken breasts.
As for drinking, there are lots of tricks one can use and if everything fails there is the good old syringe at hand.
I had a big syringe and made a note of how many ml I'd give her until daily dose was achieved.
As for poop do not worry if it takes a few days until it happens, it is normal.
Above all, keep calm and remember recovery doesn't last for ever, each day that goes by is one day closer to the end of the recovery period.
We are all here for you so do not hesitate to ask any questions, big or small !
Sending you the biggest bear hug in History and XL cuddles to your sweet, sweet girl 💕💞💕💞🐾🐶
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Lots more good advice here ... I see you've popped online. Hoping for good news! 🙂
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Thinking of you and Zayda.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thinking of you and sending Zayda all pawsitive wishes for a speedy recovery!
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Hi everyone,
Thank you all so much for the well wishes. Unfortunately Zayda's heart failed yesterday during surgery. They tried everything, but they couldn't bring her back. She waited until her leg was off, she was cancer free, and then she went on her own terms. The hurt and pain of missing my best friend is absolutely unbearable, but she's no longer in pain. I can't say much else at this point. Thank you all for your thoughts.
Courtney and my Angel Zayda
Oh no, Courtney! I'm so so sad to see this. Sweet Zayda. I wish we'd had more time to enjoy being cancer free. Rest assured that this much is true - there will be lots of tripawds on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge waiting to greet her!
We are still here for you and share your sorrow.
Sending love and hugs,
Amy and Izzy
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
NO NO NO NO 😩😩
Courtney I am in deep, deep shock, my heart sunk as I read your post, it is so unbelievably unfair!
How is this even happening ????
I am totally speechless ... we all know it is major surgery therefore there are risks involved but we never ever expected this to happen to your beautiful girl.
My heart is bleeding for you sweet Courtney, I know how it feels to lose a baby, it is so so unfair ...
Zayda is now living in your heart for ever, you can be sure of that and she is surrounding you in energy form ✨
I so wish I could cry with you and comfort you even if there are no words that can help at times like these.
Nobody and nothing can replace your sweet girl, your sweet angel who shines high in the sky, the brightest of all stars 🌟
Please try and take comfort in the fact she will be waiting for you when your time comes, I strongly believe all our babies will welcome us one day and we will reunite for eternity.
The love we shared on this earth is just to precious to ever end 💗
I am right by your side Courtney, my heart is with yours and Zayda I am so so so so sorry for your loss 😔😔💕
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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